Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-09-22
A WOMAN'S ERROR.

dressed in their crisply-starched and
neatly-ironed white dresses; some with
bright-colored sashes and bows to
match, others wreathed with wild
flowers gathered in the woods, which
stretched invitingly away in the shady
GOODNESS at the back of the grove.
Conspicuous among the rustic
beauties was Barbara Wildman. She
was tall bright-looking girl, whose
great dark eyes usually flashed back a
merry answer to the jests of the rustic
beaux, who generally lowered around
her like moths around a flame.
just now, however, their brightness
was under cloud; for Mark Everson
was standing at her side, and the
tete-G-tete she had for some time been
endeavoring to avoid was inevitable
She was sorry to lose Marks friend
ship, and with woman's instinct she
knew that it must be all or nothing
from henceforth with him; and with
newly-learned insight into her own
heart, she now knew that she did not
love him.
Her answer must be NO"
With all her gay friendly ways she
had not an atom of intentional CO.
luGIIy dDOuG ucI, anu Will 81 SuIuCu
resolution to end his suspense she
turned towards him.
well, Mark" she said gently,
"whar is it you want to say to me?"
''You must know without my telling.
Oh, Barbara, it is your own sweet self
want! | have been as true to you as
the needle is to the pole since the time
when, little boy and girl, we used to
90 nutting together"
''Poor Mark! | am sorry."
There was no installing the express
ion Of the soft brown eyes. Genuine
pity was in them for the pain she was
causing, but no love.
Don't, Barbara! L can't bear it.!
Give me chance before you say a
decided No I'll do things for you no
one ever did before, if you'll only
promise to try and love me.
just then young man rode by on 2
powerful black horse. Mark saw a
sudden change pass over Barbara's
face. Turning, be saw, with a bitter
pain Juggling ut his heart-strings, that
the eyes of the girl that he loved were
resting on the strangers face with q
rapt lingering expression in them
which had never irradiated them for
him, her Old-time faithful friend.
There was no installing the answer
ing look in the eyes of the equestrian,
as, bowling low, he rode lingeringly by,
turning ever and anon to smile at the
fair face which Mark knew now was
not to be the light Of his home.
$50 it is that stranger whom YOU
love! You need not deny it." he said
almost tierceIy. 4 saw it in your
eyes.
Barbara answered. proudly:
Il do not wish to deny IT," Then,
wit sudden change of manner, she
bel, out her hand: Il love him as l
lov, my life, and have promised to
MAJ him; but, dear old Mark, let
us friends for the sake of the pleasant
day of our happy childhood. Be my
bro er, Mark!
Mark hesitated; but he could not re-
sist the pleading usefulness of the
eyes, whose brightness shone through
mist which suggested that tears
were not far away. He took the soft
little hand in his great brown palm,
hardened by manly toll.
Il will be your friend Barbara, but
| cannot see you and be in your society
as | have been. [ could not bear it,
shall sell the farm, and leave the
place"
mo, Mark; you need not do that to
avoid seeing me; for we are to be
married next week, and-and | shall
60 with him."
Mark looked at her in panied sur
prise, as, blushingly and hesitatingly,
she told him this, overcoming her
maidenly shyness and reserve SO that
the honest heart, whose friendship she
coveted, would not drive its owner to
take a rash step which might mar his
whole future.
Going away so soon, and with a
perfect stranger? Oh, little Barbara!
be fraud, for aught YOU can tell.
A sudden anger flashed up in the
girls eyes.
Il know this, Mark: | love him, and
1t is cruel in you to make such 4 sug-
gestion."
But you know nothing of his family
of his past life"
''He brought letters to auntie. His
mother was an old friend of hers.
Don't be worried, dear old Mark. He
Is as SoOu as Solu. would stake my
life on it.
Mark sighed heavily and turned
away. The joy of the afternoon had
gone for him, and another hour found
him on his way home.
He did not see Barbara again until
long after her marriage, though her
wedding was quite an event i'll the
quiet neighborhood, for the friends and
neighbors were invited for miles
around, but poor heart-sick Mark stayed
away. For weeks after the beauty
and happiness of the bride was the
village gossip, and Mark heard it talked
over until he felt as though he must cry
out in his agony.
Several years passed by, during
which Mark led a lonely life. His dis